Sensor cleaning Canon vs. User ?

I recently tried to clean my 5D and I just couldn't get these black spots off the screen (looked like grease or something and its not the first time either). I tried cleaning a dozen times with my Copperhill cleaning kit with Eclipse cleaning fluid and no progress.

I then received my 40D (which I love ) and decided to send my 5D to Canon for a cleaning (also had the viewfinder area cleaned, cause man it needed it). Well Canon gave it back to me nice and clean with no dust or dirt, grease or etc.. on the sensor or viewfinder (in fact it was better then when I received it new).

So my question is:
What do you think Canon cleans there sensors with?
Whatever it is its a heck of a lot better then Eclipse!
Or do you think they just replace the sensor protector screen (or whatever it is)?

I've run about a hundred cleanings so far on about a dozen different cameras - I love the Copperhill method for the wet swipe but the Visible Dust brushes for the dry stuff. You do have to give it a little bit of pressure but you should see those spots disappear (or at least move). Are you seeing them on your image or through the viewfinder?

If through the viewfinder that means you have dust on the top of your focusing screen. Not the easiest to remove and clean but certainly do-able. This is (usually) caused by blowing air into your camera from a blower or a can of air. Thats why I never recommend it - I've had to clean focusing screens as well as canned air propellant off sensors.

I will say that the SensorScope really helps but wouldn't recommend it for anyone that only has one camera to clean (or isn't too psychotic about cleaning - I inspect/clean before every job or outing). It is basically a microscope for your sensor to look for dust, smudges and smears. Other than that, take a photo of a white wall or blue sky with your aperture stopped all the way down. Any spots or dark areas is foreign matter on your sensor.

Copperhill works but takes a little bit of time to get used to. Make sure you see the Eclipse smear behind the swipe (if you use two drops). That will help you learn how to hold the swipe as it is easy to not come in complete contact with the sensor.

What does it cost to send the camera to Canon for cleaning? A local shop offers that service, but not sure if it'll be as good.

John_B wrote in post #4026803
What do you think Canon cleans there sensors with?

According to this page, Canon uses LensPen/DigiKlear (scroll down to #20).

.

I can tell you from my experience that the E2 solution leaves tons of streaks and requires several passes to get them off. So far, it has not ever been close to 100% successful in getting everything off my sensor. The Rep. I spoke with at PhotoSol said that their products will get a sensor totally clean and leave not streaks: b.s.

I like the Delkin Scope Sensor and when the time comes I will try the Delkin solution and their swabs. The Rep. from Delkin told me that their solution can be used on ANY sensor in any DSLR.

We'll see.

I will say that the Eclipse solution did a very good job on my 350D, but left one pesky spot that after three cleanings is still in the same darn spot. I can live with it though, because it only starts to show up at f/16 and isn't a real post production issue until f/22.

Quite frankly, after all I've been through in the past two weeks with my 40D, I like my good old 350D more than ever.

By the way, when I was in Tokyo back in March/April of this year, Canon's Digital Center was just across the street from my hotel. They cleaned my camera for free even though it was two years old and I had it back in just over an hour. The sensor was totally spotless stopped down to as far as I could under any circumstances. In addition, the annoying debris in my focusing screen was gone. I wish I could go back to Tokyo now to get my 40D straightened out. Whatever Canon uses in-house is certainly not Eclipse or E2.

Best,

Michael

I strongly recommend the LensPen SensorKlear. I had spots on my 1D2 that swabbing with Eclipse would not remove. Once over with the pen and they're gone. Better still with the aid of a bright LED torch I can just peck off spots now without going for the full clean.

milleker,
Those black spots weren't dust, lubricants maybe. I have been using the Copperhill method for two years and it is nothing compared to Canon's cleaning method.

AperturePriority,
Yea I have seen that site before

M24,
Yea Canon does do a good job

foxbat,
Thanks I might just give the Sensor Klear a try